Find A Villa In Florence & Spend Time In This Beautiful Garden

The Giardino dell'Orticoltura, also known as the Horticultural Garden and the Experimental Garden, is located on via Bolognese 17, with another entrance facing out onto via Vittorio Emanuele, in the historic core of the city. Officially opened in 1859 by a commission that was created to establish a horticultural society in Tuscany, which ultimately became the Tuscan Society of Horticulture, by the Accademia dei Georgofili, this experimental garden was built on a plot of land outside Porta San Gallo that had previously been owned by the Marquis and Marchioness Ludovico Ginori Lisci and Marianna Venturi. Originally planted with a combination of grape vines, the tomatoes recently introduced to Italy, and other rare and decorative plants and flowers, the garden was then completely restructured in 1876 in order to allow it to adequately act as a venue for various exhibitions and events. The first national exhibition in Florence by the Italian Horticultural Federation was organised there in 1880 and completion of the gardens and construction of a large iron and glass greenhouse, unlike any that had been previously seen before in Italy, was undertaken in preparation for this event. Designed by the engineer and architect Giacomo Roster and carried out by the Officine Michelucci in Pistoia using cast iron columns from the Lorenzetti foundry in Pistoia, this greenhouse is a lesser-known architectural gem that is the, “crystal palace,” of Florence akin to similar stunning pavilions that were built in capitals all across Europe around the same time. It is a remarkable wonder that is, sadly, often overlooked by visitors to the city who have found a villa with a swimming pool in Florence and are spending time exploring all that she has to offer.

In 1887, further additions and alterations were made with the addition of another greenhouse and a café-restaurant in preparation for another exhibition and then even more changes and improvements (including the overpass on the railway, an enlargement of the driveway, the decoration of the gate with banners, and the construction of the Loggetta Bondi) were made for a major international floriculture exhibition in 1911. With the beginning of WWI, the Tuscan Society of Horticulture ceased their regular activities and the city bought the garden, opening it to the general public. While the gardens suffered various periods of neglect, they were restored to their former glory for all to see in 2000.

A stunning gem that is little-visited by international tourists, this charming garden, with its parklands, flowers, playground, eatery, peace, quiet, tranquility, calm, and gorgeous historic greenhouses is a must-see for the discerning tourist who has found a villa with a swimming pool in Florence and is looking for the rarer and lesser-known wonders of the city. Come and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings peacefully, take in the views over the city, discover the surprises (such as a stream flowing through a dragon's belly in the park) dotted around the space, admire the magical lights illuminating the grounds evocatively when dusk falls, and soak up the wonder of this hidden gem in Tuscany.